Hand, Cimber officially added to Tribe's roster

ARLINGTON -- The Indians will head into the season's second half with a retooled roster, shoring up a few areas as the club continues its quest for a third straight American League Central crown. The addition of All-Star reliever Brad Hand highlights Cleveland's alterations.

Here is a rundown of the transactions made prior to Friday's game against the Rangers.

ARLINGTON -- The Indians will head into the season's second half with a retooled roster, shoring up a few areas as the club continues its quest for a third straight American League Central crown. The addition of All-Star reliever Brad Hand highlights Cleveland's alterations.

Here is a rundown of the transactions made prior to Friday's game against the Rangers.

• Hand and righty Adam Cimber were officially added to the active roster, following Thursday's trade with San Diego that included shipping catcher Francisco Mejia, formerly Cleveland's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, to the Padres. Hand, a lefty, can serve as a high-leverage arm until Andrew Miller returns from the disabled list. Cimber has excelled at halting right-handed batters (.482 opponents' OPS).

• Third baseman Yandy Diaz (recalled) and veteran outfielder Melky Cabrera (contract purchases) were promoted from Triple-A Columbus. Diaz, Cleveland's Opening Day third baseman in 2017, has hit .284 (.790 OPS) in 81 games for the Clippers this season. Cabrera hit .361 (.867 OPS) in nine games for Columbus since re-signing a Minor League contract with the Indians.

• In order to clear room on the active roster for the arrivals, the Indians optioned outfielder Greg Allen, right-hander Adam Plutko and lefty Tyler Olson to Triple-A Columbus. Cleveland already had a fourth roster vacany after optioning Mejia to Triple-A following Sunday's game against the Yankees.

• To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Cabrera, the Indians transferred injured outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall to the 60-day DL. Chisenhall was placed on the 10-day DL with a severe right calf injury on July 3 and is expected to be sidelined for the next eight weeks or so.

• Left-hander Marc Rzepczynski, who was designed for assignment by the Indians on July 11, cleared outright waivers and elected to become a free agent rather than accept a Triple-A assignment. With Hand now in the fold, Rzepczynski was behind four lefties -- including Oliver Perez, Miller and Olson -- on the depth chart.